The Tauber and Altmühl Cycle Route

You start your cycle tour on the Tauber Altmühl Cycle Route in picturesque Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. The town is famous for its castle ruins on a narrow hilltop between the two river valleys. A visit to the original 12th century Hohenstaufen castle will give you a glimpse of the region you will be cycling through over the next few days. Enjoy the first evening in one of the numerous restaurants and look forward to an exciting week on the bike!

You say goodbye to Wertheim and the River Main. As far as Rothenburg, you follow the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest vacation route. You pass beautiful vineyards in the Liebliches Taubertal valley and pass Tauberbischofsheim and Bad Mergentheim. You will soon reach your destination for the day, Weikersheim. Would you like to travel back in time? Then visit the incomparable Renaissance castle with its wonderful castle garden. It is considered one of the most important of its kind, as the interior is almost completely preserved.

Get on your bike and follow the Tauber Cycle Route one last time. Take a break in Creglingen and marvel at the pretty half-timbered houses. Just outside is the world-famous Herrgottskirche church. Inside the church is the Marian altar, artistically carved by Tilman Riemenschneider. Rothenburg is probably the most romantic town in Germany. Half-timbered houses, narrow turrets and the imposing fortifications line your path on a tour. Keep your eyes open at all times: There is something to discover around every corner in this multi-faceted town.

From today, you follow the well-known Altmühl Cycle Route. You first cycle through the Naturpark Frankenhöhe and pass the source of the Altmühl at Hornauer Weiher. In Colmberg, you will come across the imposing castle of the same name. In Colmberg you will come across the imposing castle of the same name. If you don't want to spare any effort, pay a visit to the castle high above the town. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Upper Altmühl Valley. Via the Castle Road you travel along the Franconian Rezat river to your stage destination Ansbach. During a stroll through the town, you will discover impressive buildings such as the Court Chancellery or the former residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach with its 27 state rooms.

Your tour on the Tauber-Altmühl Cycle Route starts in Ansbach comfortably downhill until you meet the Altmühl again at Herrieden. With the river always in view, you cycle on an almost completely flat stretch towards Lake Altmühlsee. This is very popular with migratory birds, so that it is home to one of the most important protected areas for migratory birds in Bavaria. How about cooling off a bit? The lake is perfect for a swim before continuing on to Gunzenhausen. A section of the outer border of the Roman Empire, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes, ran here. Visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays unique excavation finds from the Stone Age to the Early Middle Ages. With Wettelsheim you have reached your destination for the day.

You cycle leisurely through the juniper heath. As the valley becomes narrower and narrower, spectacular rock formations keep appearing. Among the most impressive of the trip are the so-called Twelve Apostles between Solnhofen and Eßlingen. Before that, however, the ruins of the castle of the same name greet you in Pappenheim. It is one of the most important medieval castle ruins in Bavaria. As you approach Eichstätt, the Altmühl meanders through the breathtaking countryside. Pay a visit to Willibaldsburg Castle, which towers over Eichstätt's old town. Today, the former seat of the Eichstätt prince-bishops is home to the Jura Museum, which displays numerous fossil exhibits.

Today you will find more evidence that the Romans were particularly present in this region. Near the village of Pfünz you will come across the Roman fort Castra Vetoniana. Among other things, the garrison at that time had the task of guarding the nearby Limes. Today, a part of the defence wall, a corner tower and the northern gate have been faithfully reconstructed and invite you to visit them. Passing the imposing Kipfenberg Castle, you will pass the idyllic Lake Kratzmühlsee shortly before your stage destination Beilngries. Take the opportunity and reward yourself with a jump into the cool water!

The Altmühl accompanies you for the last time on your way to Kelheim. At Dietfurt, you come across the Main-Danube Canal, in whose riverbed the Altmühl now flows. Around Riedenburg, several castles and castle ruins come into your field of vision. The most impressive is Prunn Castle, enthroned on a vertical rock. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo! Your destination is Kelheim at the confluence of the Altmühl and Danube rivers. Pay a visit to Befreiungshalle, the town's landmark. Commissioned by King Ludwig I, the memorial stands for the victorious battles against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation. Not only the impressive building, but also the magnificent panoramic view will inspire you.

You say goodbye to Kelheim and at the same time to the Altmühl. On the last stage of your tour on the Tauber-Altmühl Cycle Route, you follow the Danube to its northernmost point. You cycle along the cycle path close to the banks and always have a wonderful view of the river. Take a break along the way before you get a taste of the big city air in your destination of Regensburg. Regensburg's St. Peter's Cathedral welcomes you from afar. See for yourself why Regensburg, with its more than 1500 listed buildings, is the best-preserved German city from the Middle Ages.

Your cycle tour on the Tauber Altmühl Cycle Route is sure to leave you with fond memories. If you don't want to start your journey home yet, we will be happy to extend your stay with an extra night.